Eastern Iowa Farmer Fall 2020

dear diary
veteran with special military services.
Our boys had asked if they could go
and my initial response was no. But
giving the idea further thought, and
having few other immediate family
serve, I knew this was probably something
they should be a part of.
James was a pallbearer, and I had to
sit with the boys myself. I was nervous
as to what was going to play out; the
night before at the visitation Ty cried
uncontrollably, and as much as I thought
I was prepared for all of it, I wasn’t. The
only thing to lighten the mood was when
our 2-year-old asked “Who is in the
sink?” referring to her great-grandpa laying
in the casket. We certainly got a good
laugh and then had to explain, although
I’m pretty sure it all went over her head.
Thankfully, we made it through the funeral
service at the church without a hitch
and then made our way to the cemetery.
Earlier in the week the boys came up
with the idea to let a Monarch butterfly
go at the funeral and asked their grandma
if that would be OK. She OK’d the idea,
and luckily enough we had two butterflies
hatch, one a boy and one a girl.
We named them Raymond and Velma,
and now Great-Grandma Velma and
Great-Grandpa Raymond would be back
together at last.
Prior to releasing the butterflies, the
boys got to witness the military aspect
of the service, and most memorably,
the three rifle volleys. They jumped
each time a shot fired, but I can
honestly attest I have never taken
part in something so solidifying and
finalizing as I did that day as we laid
Grandpa Ray to rest. And, as a means
of remembrance both boys got an
empty shell casing from such a
memorable day.
While there is never a timely time
for a death, we were fortunate he
hung on so long, and we were able
to gather as a family and celebrate
a life well lived. Unfortunately for
his 99-year-old brother who passed
a few months prior, his family
couldn’t have a visitation and a
funeral like we did.
I can’t imagine having a loved
one pass and not being able to give
them the honor, dignity and service they
deserved. It was bad enough none of the
STRUTTING OUR STUFF FOR 54 YEARS
WE RAISE OUR OWN FLOCKS OF BIRDS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET THE BEST OF ALL BIRDS
Pictured: Owner Etta
Culver and Marie Forret
in the Schlecht Hatchery’s
incubating and hatching
room.
Chickens
Ducks
Eggs
Turkeys
Geese
Schlecht Farm & Hatchery
PH. 563-682-7865
9749 500TH AVENUE
MILES, IOWA 52064
Hatchery Hours :
Monday - Friday 7:30-4:30
Saturday - By appointment only
Closed Sundays
schlechthatchery.com
2017
Award Recipient
Farmer of
the Year
IN
JACKSON COUNTY
96 Eastern Iowa Farmer | fall 2020 eifarmer.com